Caroline O’Brien
CEO
A semiconductor industry specialist, Caroline O’Brien is CEO at Kubos Semiconductors and brings over 25 years of experience in the technology sector, where she has developed a broad knowledge of working with VC-backed businesses and blue-chip multinationals. She has held senior commercial and executive positions in several companies, focusing on developing and commercialising new technologies and products. Caroline holds a B.Eng in Electronics and Electrical Engineering and an MBA from The University of Bath.
Prof David Wallis
Technical Director and founder
David has spent more than 25 years in growth and characterisation of III-V semiconductor materials including both optical and electronic GaN based devices and has published more than 170 papers. From 2006 to 2011 he was the technical lead for GaN growth at QinetiQ Plc and starting in 2012 he led the GaN on Si technology transfer from the University of Cambridge to Plessey’s Production facility in Plymouth, successfully launching Plessey’s first LED products in 2014. He also holds a joint chair in Compound Semiconductors at the Universities of Cardiff and Cambridge.
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk
Martin Lamb
Martin has 30 years’ experience in the compound semiconductor materials industry, holding senior positions including Managing Director of Wafer Technology Ltd. He was part of the team that effected a management buyout of Wafer Technology in 1994 turning the business profitable and winning the Queen’s Award for Export in 1997. The company was then sold to IQE plc where Martin served on the main board. Since leaving IQE plc Martin has been active as a business angel, investing in twelve early-stage companies in the technology sector. He serves on the Board of several companies within his portfolio.
Jill Shaw
Jill is a highly experienced business leader with more than 25 years in senior positions within high tech enterprises from start-ups to International Corporates, ranging in size from start-up to £400m. She has an extensive track record of product delivery, project and subcontractor management and successful business development. For the past 11 years she has been CEO of Anvil Semiconductors, who is developing 3c-SiC for power devices. Jill holds a B.Sc from Imperial College, London and an M.Sc in control engineering from the University of Hertfordshire.
Desmond Astley Cooper
Desmond acts on behalf of LCIF Representatives. He has over 30 years’ experience in finance and banking. Originally an associate editor with specialist oil and gas journal MEES, Desmond left journalism in 1980 to join de Zoete and Bevan (later BZW) and then Flemings before it was taken over by Chase/JP Morgan. He spent a further 13 years on secondment managing the investments of a family office in the Middle East. Returning to London in 1997 as managing director of LA Investments, a venture capital company specializing in technology investments including renewable energy. He is also a novelist.